Henderson County Veterinary Hospital

PO Box 391Athens, TX 75751

(903)675-5613

www.hcvethospital.com

Equine Services

Wellness Care- "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" That saying holds true for horses also. As part of our routine care we provide vaccinations, deworming, and Coggins testing. We also perform surgical castrations. At the time of service we can discuss any issues you may have with your horse including nutritional needs, training programs, geriatric care, etc..

Time of Need Care- We offer care for your horse in case of medical colic, sickness, lameness, injury, metabolic problems, or chronic illness. We are equipped to provide intravenous fluids and most laboratory results are obtained within 24 hours. Please call our main telephone number for instructions for after-hour emergencies.

Pre-purchase Examinations- An extensive physical examination, lameness evaluation, neurologic examination, and drug screen is offered by us prior to purchasing a horse. The information gathered is used by the prospective buyer and/or agent to determine whether the horse will be servicable for it's intended use. The exam often includes laboratory testing, digital radiographs, endoscopy, and ultrasound exams.

Geriatric Care- Aged horses can have sub-clinical health care issues that can be identified and treated before they become a problem. If your horse is over 15 years of age we recommend a complete physical examination and blood testing to establish baseline values.

Lameness Examination- Evaluate the locomotion of your horse. We use a variety of techniques to identify the source(s) of lameness including physical examination and palpation, flexion tests, and joint and nerve blocks. Digital radiography, ultrasound, and laboratory tests help us to further evaluate the source of your horse's lameness.

Specialized Procedures:

Digital Radiography- uses x-rays to visualize bone for abnormalities including arthritic changes, fractures, ocd, bone cysts and bone infection. Our unit is capable of providing digital images within 2 seconds. These images are viewed on a 3 megapixael 17" screen and can be enlarged and windows leveled to see subtle changes often not visible on conventional radiographs.

Allergy Testing/Hyposesitization- skin testing is considered the gold standard by most allergists in the United States. Blood test results do not correlate well to skin test results. In our practice skin testing is the method of choice to diagnose and treat skin and respiratory allergies in the horse.